Abellio, one of the 3 remaining bidders for the Wales rail franchise (which obviously includes the Metro) had partnered with Carillion for the construction aspects of their bid. They'll have to move quickly to find another partner I'd assume, or their bid may well be in trouble.

Wales Online wrote:Carillion is the construction partner to Dutch transport giant Abellio in its bids build the next phase of the Metro in south Wales with electrification of the Valleys Lines and the running of the next Wales & Borders rail franchise from October.

Abellio's bid was submitted to the Welsh Government's transport body, Transport for Wales, along with those from MTR and KeolisAmey, before Christmas.

Cardiff Ian wrote:I’m a bit underwhelmed by the proposals for Central Station to be honest. As a daily user, I’m more interested in the functionality than the aesthetics and at first glance it appears that the only major benefit is the increased gate line width (albeit desperately needed) and better access to platforms 1 and 2. What is really needed is better access to all platforms - the narrow staircases are congested and need replacing in line with what has happened at Reading, New street, etc. Presumably six car trains will be added to the Valley Lines eventually and at this point there will have to be something done?

Maybe i’m just being negative and there is improved access to all platforms but the plans have not yet been released showing this! At a minimum, hopefully whatever is planned for platforms 1 and 2 can be extended in the future when more funds become available.

I think your concern is spot on, I just think they haven't worked out or at least not published that level of detail yet. There needs to be an additional number of platforms as well surely, will 8 cut it for the next 20 years or so?

I also think they've purposely only showed the back because any images of the the front will give too much detail, or raise too many questions, about what's going on with the new bus station and how it will link to Central Station, which you'd think since they knew this announcement was coming is being working design wise currently.

Right now I'm just happy it's moving forward. The City Region body is starting to work on things, and that's really pleasing in itself.

Cardiff Ian wrote:I’m a bit underwhelmed by the proposals for Central Station to be honest. As a daily user, I’m more interested in the functionality than the aesthetics and at first glance it appears that the only major benefit is the increased gate line width (albeit desperately needed) and better access to platforms 1 and 2. What is really needed is better access to all platforms - the narrow staircases are congested and need replacing in line with what has happened at Reading, New street, etc. Presumably six car trains will be added to the Valley Lines eventually and at this point there will have to be something done?

Maybe i’m just being negative and there is improved access to all platforms but the plans have not yet been released showing this! At a minimum, hopefully whatever is planned for platforms 1 and 2 can be extended in the future when more funds become available.

I think your concern is spot on, I just think they haven't worked out or at least not published that level of detail yet. There needs to be an additional number of platforms as well surely, will 8 cut it for the next 20 years or so?

I also think they've purposely only showed the back because any images of the the front will give too much detail, or raise too many questions, about what's going on with the new bus station and how it will link to Central Station, which you'd think since they knew this announcement was coming is being working design wise currently.

Right now I'm just happy it's moving forward. The City Region body is starting to work on things, and that's really pleasing in itself.

There are some reports on there that will be interesting reading for a few of us on here. The one below seems to have the most relevant information, once you get past all the fluff and waffle page 75 starts to get into the detail:

There are some very interesting clues in that article...not all pointing at good news!

The moving of the facade northwards by 6m is a good idea as it effectively increases the number of platforms, turning the embarrassing platform 0 into new Platform 1. It is also a good idea to move the Intercity services to new Platform 1 & 2 next to main entrance ....but this is where the bad news kicks in..... with improved access to intercity services they will probably drop the plans for improved access to other platforms...

The new coach station and tram station are good news and there is talk of covered transfer from tram to train to bus which is good....but this could be largely achieved by opening up the disused eastrn pedestrisn tunnel under the station. I see lots of value engineering going on here...

But the tram line through Central Quay and down Dumballs Road looks promising

Lines: Upgrade SWML Relief LinesConvert Penarth line from HR to LR (Tram) (with extension to Sully and street running through Grangetown)New line to Sports VillageExtend Bay line to PierheadNew Tram line from Porth Teigr to Central via Dumballs RoadNew Tram line from Central to Cathays Park via St Mary Street

What would light rail mean on the Rhymney line? I'm thinking something equivalent to a tram. They don't tend to be very quick do they? I thought trams only really worked in a city where the gap between stops is very small?

Frank wrote:What would light rail mean on the Rhymney line? I'm thinking something equivalent to a tram. They don't tend to be very quick do they? I thought trams only really worked in a city where the gap between stops is very small?

Another name for light rail is Train-Tram. They can run in both modes. The journey times should be about the same although there are likely to be more stops as these units have far shorter stopping distances.

They can only be run on on-street lines and dedicated rail corridors which have no heavy goods services. Presumably the Ebbw Vale and Maesteg services will remain as heavy rail due to the goods traffic on the South Wales Main Line.

Last edited by Ash on Thu Jan 18, 2018 2:47 am, edited 1 time in total.